A museum in London has decided to hand over more than 70 artefacts in its collection to Nigeria.
72 subjects were looted from the city of Benin in 1897, during an attack by the British army in Nigeria.
Items include the Benin Bronze, made up of 12 brass plaques, as well as ceremonial paraphernalia, a key “to the king’s palace”, bronze bells and a bronze rooster altar piece.
The repatriation comes after the Horniman Museum in south-east London received a request from Nigeria’s National Commission on Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in January.
It then conducted a number of research inquiries and consultations with local communities, students, scholars and historians, as well as artists living in Nigeria and the UK, to get their views on what will happen to the collection.
Eve Salomon, chair of the board of trustees of the Horniman Museum and Gardens, said: “The evidence is clear that these objects were acquired through force, and outside consultation has support our view that it is reasonable and appropriate to return their ownership to Nigeria.”
“Horniman is delighted to have been able to take this step and we look forward to working with NCMM to ensure longer-term care for these precious artifacts.”
Professor Abba Tijani, director general of the NCMM, added: “We very much welcome this decision by the trustees of the Horniman Museum and Gardens.
“Following the endorsement of the Charity Commission, we look forward to a productive discussion of the loan arrangements and cooperation between the National Commission on Museums and Monuments and Horniman.”
Oku’Oba from the collection. Photo: Horniman Museum and Gardens
The museum said it will now look at how to return the items safely and discuss the possibility of keeping some of them on loan for research and education.
It comes after the prime minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, last year made a direct request to Boris Johnson for the return of the Elgin Marbles – a 2,500-year-old set of sculptures used to decorate the Parthenon in Greece, acquired by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century.
The British Museum has so far refused to return them to Greece, despite repeated protests.
